Back
22.11.2021Bayer 04

News in brief: Media day to begin Europa League week

The Werkself kick off another busy week with three points in the bag after their 1-0 victory at home to Bochum on Saturday. On Monday, attentions turned to the Europa League clash with Celtic. In our news in brief, we take in the training ground but also some areas behind the scenes in the BayArena.
crop_20211122_NB_B04_Training_25811.jpg

Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky was the only player who started the Bundesliga game against Bochum to take part in the team’s training session to start the week. Jonathan Tah & Co. were working in the gym while several other players went about their business on the pitch at the BayArena.

crop_20211122_NB_B04_Training_25870.jpg

With Andrey Lunev and Niklas Lomb in goal, nine outfield players in three teams of three took part in intense matches on a reduced pitch. They included Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Karim Bellarabi. Strikers Patrik Schick and Lucas Alario were working on their comebacks nearby. Charles Aranguiz was also out on the pitch on Monday.

Holday content

When looking in the TV studios and mixed zone at the BayArena on Monday it was hard to miss the fact that Christmas is fast approaching. It saw the likes of Hradecky and Lunev battling for black and red wrapped gifts.

Tah, Nadiem Amiri, Moussa Diaby and Amine Adli were also in front of the cameras for YouTube and social media challenges. You’ll see all that and more in the coming weeks on the Bayer 04 channels.

Golden Boy 2021 announced

Italian magazine Tuttosport announced a shortlist of 20 players for their 2021 Golden Boy award in October, with Leverkusen’s 18-year-old Florian Wirtz among the names. However, Barcelona’s Pedri was announced as the winner on Monday. Wirtz came in 04th position.

The Spain international follows Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland as the recipient of the award, which has been given to Europe’s best U21 player since 2003.

Four birthdays

Horst Stollenwerk turned 88 on Monday. The homegrown midfielder turned into a true Leverkusen legend in the 1950s, never playing for another club.

Anders Giske was celebrating his 62nd. The Norwegian central defender made 29 Bundesliga appearances (1 goal) for the Werkself between summer 1984 and November of the following year.

crop_1958_Karl_Martin_Gramminger.jpg

Two special former Bayer 04 players would’ve turned 95 today in Martin (1926-2010) and Karl (1926-2015) Gramminger. Club legend Rüdiger Vollborn had plenty of anecdotes to tell about the Werkself’s first twins in his series “Rudi recounts”.

Related News

EDO Personalservice Verlängerung
Business - 02.09.2025

Bayer 04 expands partnership with EDO Personalservice

Bayer 04 Leverkusen is intensifying the existing cooperation with Business Club partner EDO Personalservice. The Cologne-based company will receive additional hospitality rights from the Bundesliga club as well as prominent advertising in and around the BayArena. EDO Personalservice provides jobs both on a temporary basis and by directly placing skilled workers in permanent positions at other companies.

Show more
Gustavo Puerta
Bayer 04 - 01.09.2025

Gustavo Puerta leaves Bayer 04 for Racing Santander

Gustavo Puerta has left Bayer 04 Leverkusen to join Spanish second division club Racing Santander.

Show more
Piero Hincapie
Bayer 04 - 01.09.2025

Piero Hincapie joins Arsenal

Piero Hincapie has left Bayer 04 Leverkusen to join Arsenal. The Premier League club has signed the 23-year-old on an initial season-long loan until the end of 2025/26 with an obligation to buy the Ecuador international defender, if certain conditions are met.

Show more
Victor Boniface
Bayer 04 - 01.09.2025

Bayer 04 loan Victor Boniface to Werder Bremen

Victor Boniface has left Bayer Leverkusen on a season-long loan to fellow Bundesliga club Werder Bremen. The Nigerian centre forward joined the Werkself in January 2023 from Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise.

Show more
Ezequiel Fernández
Bayer 04 - 01.09.2025

Ezequiel Fernández: Who is the midfield fighter with Boca DNA?

¡Bienvenido a Leverkusen, Ezequiel ‘Equi’ Fernández! Bayer 04 have signed the Argentine midfielder from Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadsiah. The left-footed 23-year-old, who got his first taste for professional football at Boca Juniors, has signed a contract in Leverkusen until 30 June 2030 and will wear the number 6 shirt. Bayer04.de takes a closer look at the 1.78-metre-tall new arrival.

Show more